Brady Campaign Acting President Dennis Henigan issued the following statement in response to U. S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords' announcement that she would resign her seat in Congress.
 
"We understand but are deeply saddened by the news that Rep. Giffords has decided to resign her seat in Congress because of the demands of her continued rehabilitation from the gunshot wound she suffered a year ago in Tucson.  Congress and the American people now have lost the service of another devoted public servant because of gun violence.  It is sadly reminiscent of the nation's loss of Jim Brady as Presidential press secretary due to a similar gunshot injury 30 years ago.  We hope Rep. Giffords' departure is only temporary and wish her well on her amazing and inspiring recovery."

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» Click here to to read tributes to other victims of gun violence

Click here to watch a message from Gabby Giffords.

The Brady Center’s Legal Action Project helped defeat gun lobby challenges to gun laws in three important cases between January 12th & 13th, 2012:

In NSSF v. ATF, a federal judge in Washington, D.C. dismissed a gun lobby challenge to an Obama Administration rule requiring that gun dealers in the Southwest border states notify law enforcement of bulk sales of semi-automatic rifles, a key indicator of gun trafficking.  The court agreed with an amicus brief filed by LAP contending that ATF had authority to promulgate the rule.

In Birdt v. Beck, a federal judge upheld Los Angeles County’s strong concealed carry laws, agreeing with an amicus brief filed by LAP.  This victory follows victories at the district court level in similar cases in Yolo County and San Diego County, in which LAP also filed amicus briefs.  

In Piszczatoski v. Filko, a federal judge upheld New Jersey’s strong public carry laws, throwing out the Second Amendment Foundation’s challenge.  Agreeing with LAP’s amicus brief, the judge stated that "the Second Amendment does not include a general right to carry handguns outside the home."

The gun lobby has already stated that it will appeal its defeats, and LAP will continue to defend the important and life-saving gun laws at issue in each case on appeal.

Click here for more information about the Legal Action Project.  Click here for more information about the three victories. 

On January 19, 2012, a conservative federal judge in Lubbock, Texas agreed with the Brady Center’s Legal Action Project and dismissed the NRA’s challenge to a Texas law prohibiting teens and young adults 18-20 years old from carrying concealed weapons in public, in the case Jennings v. McCraw.

The Brady Center’s brief supported the law and cited studies showing that young persons under 21 often lack the same ability as adults to “govern impulsivity, judgment, planning for the future, and foresight of consequences.”

On September 29, 2011, the same federal judge agreed with another Brady Center brief and dismissed a different NRA case, Jennings v. ATF, challenging the federal Gun Control Act’s prohibition on licensed dealers selling handguns to people under 21. 

» Click here to read our press release in Jennings v. McCraw
» Click here to read our press release in Jennings v. ATF

• Click here to read news from vigils across the U.S.
• Click here to read tributes to those lost to gun violence
• Click here to join us
  

News from Washington D.C.: Candlelight Vigil at Shiloh Baptist Church

» Take Action Now: E-mail Your U.S. Senators to Vote 'NO' on H.R. 822"

The "Packing Heat on Your Street" bill (H.R. 822),  that passed the U.S. House of Representatives has stalled in the U.S. Senate thanks in part to your calls and e-mails.

It is still important to make your voice heard in the U.S. Senate as H.R. 822 is still pending and could be brought up at anytime.  If you haven't done so, please e-mail your U.S. Senators to oppose this legislation and stop dangerous, violent, and untrained people from out-of-state to carry loaded guns in your community, and your state.

H.R. 822 is so extreme it would allow dangerous, violent, and untrained people from out-of-state to carry loaded guns in your community, and your state would be powerless to stop them.

Help us stop this dangerous legislation in the U.S. Senate!

» Click here to view our press release on H.R. 822
» Click here to view editorials and op-eds on H.R. 822
» Click here for our "Packing Heat on your Street" Report
» Click here for more information